Press Releases

On 24 January 2014, the German BfR (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) published an opinion on lead, nickel and allergenic scents in candles to be restricted (BfR opinion No 004/2014, 11 No-vember 2013). The European candle industry, represented by AECM, A.I.S.E. and ECA, questions the scientific basis of BfR´s opinion with regard to all three substances or groups of substances.

On 24 January 2014, the German BfR (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) published an opinion on lead, nickel and allergenic scents in candles to be restricted (BfR opinion No 004/2014, 11 No-vember 2013). The European candle industry, represented by AECM, A.I.S.E. and ECA, questions the scientific basis of BfR´s opinion with regard to all three substances or groups of substances.

Azo dyes are the biggest group within the dyes. They are widely used because they are particularly light-fast and stable and have vivid colours. Azo dyes themselves are normally not unhealthy. Some of them can be split into their components in the human body however and some of these so-called aromatic amines can be harmful to health.

Just like any other open combustion, candles emit fine particles but
do not pose a health hazard if some rules are respected.

From time to time, the media reports on the high emission of fine particles from candles and the supposed health hazard connected with it. If some basic rules for handling candles are respected, such concerns can be easily dispelled however.

The European Candle Association seriously questions the scientific validity of a report by two South Carolina State University researchers* suggesting that candles, especially paraffin candles, can release harmful amounts of indoor air pollutants or even carcinogens.